Efficient, Compassionate& Committed Representation

Our mission, first and foremost, is to act as an effective and committed advocate for our clients. We know that each client’s situation is unique and handle every case with sensitivity and responsiveness.

We also understand that the process of seeking benefits can be intimidating, so our entire staff is committed to guiding clients through every step, no matter how simple or complex, with efficiency and compassion.

In every case, our goal is to help the client obtain the benefits he or she deserves.

How We Can Help You

From the earliest stages of our clients’ cases, we identify and clarify the issues to the Social Security Administration (SSA). We review and help complete forms that are sent to our clients by the Adjudicator in connection with both applications and appeals. This is important because these forms are often used to discredit claimant’s statements and testimony. The right answers and responses early in the process can help to avoid later problems, as well as directing SSA to the proper issues in a claimant’s case.

The attorneys at Chihak & Associates will review your case to determine what additional evidence is needed. This involves obtaining the medical opinions and relevant records from your doctors as they relate to specific points crucial to establishing your disability. We will monitor the progress of your case while it is pending before SSA. We attempt to keep your case on track and moving toward a favorable decision by maintaining constant contact with the SSA.

At all levels of your case, we will present written arguments supporting your claim. We will prepare you and tell you want to expect at your hearing. We will also discuss the claims process with you and explain what the Judge assigned to your case will be looking for.

As attorneys who have successfully represented individuals in over 10,000 hearings, we are well equipped to deal with the often harmful testimony of SSA’s medical and vocational witnesses.

Chihak & Associates has helped thousands of people obtain benefits. We want to help you, too.

The Disability Process

At Chihak & Associates, we try to give hope to clients who are in pain and in financial need.

We help people who cannot work due to illness or disabilities get the Social Security benefits they need and deserve.

Because we practice only in the area of Social Security, we understand the complex claims process. We know how to guide claims through the system. We know how to overcome the rejection of an initial claim and work at all levels of the appeal process.

Social Security Disability

Our firm has helped thousands of people obtain Social Security benefits.

We will prepare and file a Social Security Disability claim and support it with the necessary medical and vocational information.

You worked hard all your life, asking for nothing. You paid into the system out of each and very paycheck. You deserve the benefits that can enable you to live a decent life now.

Supplemental Security Income

Chihak & Associates also helps people with limited work histories to qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits and Medicaid.

These benefits may also be available for children in some cases.

We can explain the claims and appeal process and discuss whether your condition or illness can qualify you for benefits.

Call us toll free at (888) 723-4141 to schedule a free consultation.

Chihak & Associates will be your advocate throughout the entire process, from the initial application to the final approval of your claim.

Attorneys

The attorneys at Chihak & Associates work exclusively in the area of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income.

For a free initial consultation with Chihak & Associates, call toll free (888) 723-4141 or send us an e-mail.

Our Seattle office is located in downtown Seattle, two blocks from the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. This is where all decisions are made at the Hearing level. Our Spokane office is located downtown on Riverside, near Riverfront Park. Our Tacoma office is located downtown, four blocks from the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

Chihak & Associates works at all stages of the claims process and we welcome referrals from other attorneys.

John J. Chihak

Owner & Senior Attorney

John J. Chihak obtained his law degree from Hamline University School of Law.

John also received a Masters of Arts Degree in Public Administration with honors from Hamline. John obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. John received the Peter Falkman Award for Outstanding Policy Analysis for his master’s thesis on poverty, pollution, and inner city development. John’s thesis was published in the Journal of Public Law and Policy. John was a member of the legal team that worked on the landmark United States Supreme Court case Gisbrecht v. Barnhart. As a direct result of this case, the right to legal representation for low income disabled individuals was greatly expanded throughout the United States.

John is admitted to practice law in Washington State as well as before the United States District Court, Western District of Washington; United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. John is a member of the American Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association, and the Spokane County Bar Association. For over 15 years, John has been a Sustaining Member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives. John practices law exclusively in the area of Social Security Disability and SSI. He has successfully represented over 5000 claimants throughout Washington state.

Keith Kinzebach

Attorney

Keith Kinzebach graduated with distinction from the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

He then attended the Seattle University School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctorate, where he was a member of the Health Law Society. Since graduating law school, Keith has practiced exclusively in the area of social security disability law.

Robyn Chihak

Attorney

Robyn Chihak graduated with a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Art History/Criticism from University of California – San Diego. She earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Robyn began her career in public benefits at the Unemployment Law Project where she represented hundreds of clients seeking unemployment benefits at administrative hearings, Commissioner appeals, and Superior Court appeals. She also provided extensive training to law students, lawyers, and union representatives on unemployment issues.

Robyn presented on the subject of Ethics and Bias at the 2011 Access to Justice Conference in Kennewick, WA. She serves as an officer on the Board of Directors of the Seattle Community Law Center and continues to volunteer for the Unemployment Law Project in many aspects. While in law school, Robyn served on the Dispute Resolution Board, worked as an extern at the Department of Labor – Office of the Solicitor, and clerked for the Honorable Judge Zulema Hinojos-Fall at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Robyn is a member of the Washing State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Tacoma-Pierce Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Washington State Association for Justice. Her practice at Chihak & Associates is focused solely on Social Security Disability and SSI benefits.